When trying to find your home for the next four years, you want to make sure the college you choose is the right fit. Well, Erin toured 27 colleges, including FSC, to find that fit! She states, "Every school I toured, I just felt like I didn't really fit in…until I visited FSC." We had the opportunity to sit down with Erin and learned just exactly what drew her to FSC, such as the support from faculty, small class sizes, and, don't forget the Florida sunshine!
Can you summarize your FSC experience in two sentences?
Some of my best memories are at Florida Southern, and it will always have a special place in my heart. If you're considering Florida Southern, don't doubt yourself because it was the best decision I ever made. GO MOCS!
Tell us a little about your current job!
I was a Criminology major at FSC and am currently a Federal Probation Officer in the Northern District of Georgia - Atlanta. Our role is to supervise the people who have been released from Federal Prison. Our main objectives are to protect the community and provide our clients with a meaningful opportunity to change.
You mention that you visited 27 schools; what drew you to choosing FSC as your home?
Finding the right college was so hard for me! My mom was patient enough to go with me, and we did road trips all over the country, visiting schools (27 to be exact!), one of which was Florida Southern. Every school I toured, I felt like I didn't fit in…until I visited FSC. Everyone was so down to earth, and it was a place I could genuinely see as my home away from home for the next four years. Not to mention the opportunity to soak up that Florida sunshine all year round! (Fun fact: I rarely went to the library. I did almost all of my studying at the POOL! And yes, I graduated with a 3.9 GPA)
Dr. Slate, one of Erin's lifelong mentors, teaching a criminology course.
What was your favorite engaged learning experience in the classroom?
I still remember it as if it was yesterday. Dr. Slate took us to observe local law enforcement training - specifically with how officers handle people with mental health. The training taught officers how to talk to people and de-escalate the situation. As a law enforcement officer, I still utilize some of the skills I learned by observing this training and honestly believe that how we treat others sets the tone for every interaction. Thank you to Dr. Slate for getting us outside of the classroom and putting what we learned in the classroom into real-world application!
What internships did you participate in during your time here?
I was lucky enough to have so many great internships while at FSC. I interned with my local prosecutor's office, did a semester in Washington D.C., interned at D.C. Pretrial Services Agency in the cell block unit, and had a paid internship in New York City at McGraw-Hill publishing company. All of my internships led to job offers, and my internship in D.C. inspired me to pursue a career in Federal law enforcement.
Did you feel supported by faculty/staff during your time enrolled
ABSOLUTELY. Dr. Slate has been one of my most influential mentors. Frankly, I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him. He encouraged me to apply for internships, offered me and other students presentation experience at national conferences, and inspired me to pursue a career in Criminal Justice. If I had gone to a different school, I would have been just a number in the classroom, but at FSC, it was a different interaction with the professors. They know you by name, learn something about you, and want you to go out and make a difference in the world.
Do you believe FSC truly aided you in preparing you for your career?
Yes, being at a smaller school with smaller class sizes, I think, made a massive difference for me. I was able to get so much out of that type of learning environment. Working in small groups, presenting, and getting hands-on experience prepared me to do well in graduate school and in my career.